We recommended auction of spectrum excluding 2G: Ex-TRAI chief

NEW DELHI: The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) had recommended in August, 2007, that scarce radio waves, excluding 2G spectrum, should be auctioned and the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) was informed about it, ex-TRAI chairman Nripendra Misra told a Delhi court.

Misra, who was recording his statement as a prosecution witness in the 2G case, said TRAI had in its August 28, 2007, recommendations said the radio waves, excluding the 2G spectrum, should be auctioned to ensure its efficient utilisation.

He, however, added there was no formal consultation between him and the PMO on the issue.

He said that during his tenure as the TRAI chief, he had apprised the PMO about the recommendations which were under consideration before the MOC&IT and Ministry of Information and Broadcasting.

"I visited the PMO as the Chairman, TRAI. I apprised the PMO regarding the (TRAI) recommendations dated August 28, 2007 and also gave the list of TRAI recommendations under consideration of the Department of Telecom (DoT) and Ministry of Information and Broadcasting," Misra told Special CBI Judge O P Saini who is exclusively hearing the case on a day-to-day basis.

"There is no formal consultation between the PMO and the Chairman, TRAI. I went over there to apprise the PMO of the list of recommendations under consideration before the Ministry of Communication and Information Technology (MOC&IT) and the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting," he said.

According to the chargesheet, TRAI's August 28, 2007, recommendations said radio waves, excluding the 2G spectrum, being a scarce resource, should be auctioned and no cap should be placed on the number of the access service providers in any service area.